Classic Vogue SE Electrical Problems...

I bought my first Range Rover a couple of weeks ago, a 1994 Classic 300 TDi Auto Vogue SE soft-dash, and it has a few electrical problems . I would be grateful for advice on how to fix them (I've tried checking the fuses):

• The heated windscreen doesn't work. Well, the light doesn't come on when I press the switch. I took the glovebox off to check the two heated windscreen fuses behind that and they were both missing, but fitting the correct ones didn't make any difference.
• By the way, when I was looking behind the glovebox, I discovered that there are two halves of a black plastic block connector which are not connected together (see photo). I'm wondering what function this connection is for. I hesitate to connect it in case there's a good reason for it to be disconnected!
• The heated front seats don't work - the lights on both switches don't come on and they don't heat up.
• The heater/aircon fan only works on positions 3 & 4, not 1 & 2.
• The heater/aircon direction control doesn't seem to rotate to the fully clockwise or anticlockwise positions.
• The backlighting on the fan speed numbers (1-4) and aircon buttons is very weak - not sure if that's normal or if the bulbs have failed.
• The backlighting has failed on a few push switches that should be back-lit (the rear screen wash wipe and the interior lights switch). The manual doesn't say how you replace the bulbs.
• The rear view mirror is auto-dimming but doesn't work. I found a guy on Ebay who can fix them but I can't figure out how to remove the mirror. I've removed the top plastic cover and screw on the mount but there's a lower plastic cover on the mount that seems to prevent sliding the mirror up and off the mount.
• The driver's door mirror feels like it's about to fall off. Should I just pull it off and re-glue it? I wonder if that might cause problems with the heating elements.
• The radio-cassette (original type Clarion/LR part no. AMR2384 model PU-9844A) powers up intermittently and when it is powered up it doesn't respond to any of the buttons on the front panel - just the volume knob. I can't check the power supply because it uses a non standard pin-out. Does anyone have a diagram of the pin-out on the three rear ISO type connectors?
• The keys that came with the car work the ignition lock but not the door or tailgate locks. This hasn't been a problem so far because it has remote central locking (a third party alarm/immobiliser), but could I order new keys from LR based on the chassis number? Otherwise I suppose I could get a locksmith to change the locks to work with the ignition keys.

Thanks!

Only thing I've done on a classic was the heater speed control for a mate, that was fun

That looks like an interesting job... I might need to do this anyway to fix some really bad squeaks.
How did you remove the centre of the dash? I can't find any threads about that and the service manual doesn't include the soft-dash.

No idea what connects with the blocks but I don't think they connect together as the metal parts you can see on both appear to be female sockets and would accept the pins of male plugs.

Which manual have you got?

Ratae said:

No idea what connects with the blocks but I don't think they connect together as the metal parts you can see on both appear to be female sockets and would accept the pins of male plugs.

Which manual have you got?

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You're right - the two blocks wouldn't connect (I didn't look properly before). On close inspection, one of them has a VW-Audi logo on it!
I have the 1990-1994 workshop manual published by LR/Brooklands. Perhaps I should stump up for the set of electronic manuals - I think one of those covers the soft dash models. Would that show how to remove the dash and mirror?

Very probably.
I have the LR factory manual for mine - 1986 so a big thick book (SRR660ENWM) as it's too early for the RAVE cd manuals - and it covers dismantling and reassembly of pretty much everything.

Ralev said:

That looks like an interesting job... I might need to do this anyway to fix some really bad squeaks.
How did you remove the centre of the dash? I can't find any threads about that and the service manual doesn't include the soft-dash.

Click to expand...

It's very similar to the Disco 1/2 dash. These 2 videos cover the process pretty well, you may need to loosen the centre console/arm rest and pull it back a couple of inches to release the bottom of the centre dash (second video).
There may also be a plastic trim covering the screws below the radio that you will need to prize up with a couple of thin blades which will probably break if it hasn't already.
As mentioned in the first video if you slide a couple of credit card size loyalty cards above and below the switches they should pull out as a complete unit fairly easily.
When you remove the 3 screws behind the ash tray and the corresponding 3 on the opposite side that will release the cup holder, don't forget to put it back before you replace the screws on reassembly.
Oh and take some pictures of the plugs before you disconnect them from the switches

This is from memory so please correct anything I have got wrong. And good luck.

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